Wyoming – The Mind of Gould
Tinker Toy Roadside Attraction
Photo Wyoming Tourism
Have you seen this unique roadside attraction near Cheyenne? Take a look into the mind of Mel Gould.
Mel & Opal Gould have been married for nearly sixty years. They are peas in a pod. A very unique pod, to say the least. Opal often thinks of herself as the "acetylene torch widow" because of the many hours Mel spends welding metal parts into whatever his latest brainstorm has formulated. His "Purple People Eater" has eight wheels and is made from parts of a number of vehicles. Mel has a special garage for the eater that has been returned to the Goulds' property after more than 30 years on display at the Forney Museum in Denver.
The story focuses on the outdoor art that surrounds the Gould land east of Cheyenne. It was filmed and edited by videographer Mike McCrimmon. The writer/narrator/reporter is Chuck Coon. Both men work for the Wyoming Office of Tourism.
Mel Gould remembers building a small eight-wheeled conveyance when he was six or seven years old. That was the first design of literally hundreds of creative inventions. It was used help cart eggs on his father's chicken ranch. Gould has worked with the famous Bulgarian artist Christo on a number of his massive outdoor displays. A recent stroke has slowed Mel a little but he and Opal and their dogs are still greeting each day with a smile, jointly carrying a torch of love with an eternal glow.
Watch the video:
Located about 10 miles east of Cheyenne, Wyoming
Mel Gould is a self-taught artist
Visitors are encouraged to stop and see the whirlygigs
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